Police chief retires; search for successor underway
westford » After 35 years of service to the Westford Police Department, Police Chief Thomas Mcenaney retired Friday.
The current deputy police chief, Mark Chambers, will assume the role of provisional police chief Sunday.
Town Manager Jodi Ross presented a letter and the Select Board presented a certificate to Mcenaney in a Jan. 12 Select Board meeting thanking him for his service.
The letter details Mcenaney’s career accomplishments, starting as an auxiliary police officer and dispatcher in 1985, being promoted to a police officer in 1986, then rising through the ranks as a criminal investigation inspector, detective sergeant, detective lieutenant, captain and deputy chief, eventually assuming the role of chief of police in 2008.
“Honesty, integrity, and directness are qualities you possess, and with these traits you have played a crucial role in keeping our town safe,” Ross wrote in the letter. “I admire your passionate commitment to the safety and well-being of our residents and our police officers, which you have displayed throughout your years in leadership positions in the Police Department.”
Ross ended the letter by thanking Mcenaney for his dedication to the town and wishing him well in his retirement.
Ross outlined in the town’s January newsletter the process for selecting a new chief. Select Board members Scott Hazelton and Anita Tonakarn-nguyen volunteered to assist with the selection process, and the board is also allowing for a citizen to participate in the selection process. If residents are interested in participating, they are encouraged to fill out the Citizen Activity Form hosted on the town’s website by Thursday, Feb. 4. The Select Board will select the resident at its meeting on Feb. 9.
The newsletter also noted that the town released a request for proposals for a firm to conduct a Police Chief Assessment Center. Residents may view the documents on the town website.